Several US deepwater Gulf fields are set to start output this year

摘要

This year could be something to shout about for new Gulf of Mexico deepwater oil production, with upwards of an eventual 225,000 b/d of new oil output starting to come online despite low crude prices that have slowed exploration in the area. A small amount of associated natural gas production also should be expected. But while new production is a plus in theory, it will come on even as crude continues to stay below $40/b and natural gas remains less than $2.50/MMBtu. Analysts calculate that the Gulf requires oil prices of $40-$50/b for new production facilities. “The Gulf of Mexico is the lowest-cost deepwater region in the world,” Evercore ISI analyst James West said. “We believe breakevens are around $45/b.”